Oakley `Closer` To Signing

For the first time in two months, Bulls` vice president of operations Jerry Krause reported ``definite progress`` in contract negotiations with No. 1 draft choice Charles Oakley.

``I think we`ll have him signed before camp opens,`` Krause said, referring to the preseason training camp Sept. 27-Oct. 6 at Beloit (Wis.)

College. ``Bill Pollak (Oakley`s agent) and I met for six hours in Chicago over the weekend. We`re a lot closer.``

Oakley, a 6-foot-9-inch, 240-pound forward, has been working on his conditioning and receiving instruction from assistant coach Tex Winter the last four weeks. It was the first time one of Pollak`s clients has worked out without a contract.

``I really like it here in Chicago,`` Oakley said Tuesday while lifting weights at the Deerfield Multiplex, where Bulls` guard hopefuls were involved in a minicamp. ``I can`t wait to start playing.``